'Happy, smiley' boy, 5, died after falling 15 floors onto railings from east London tower block, inquest hears

24 May 2024, 10:48

Aalim Ahmed died after falling onto some railings
Aalim Ahmed died after falling onto some railings. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

A five-year-old boy died after falling more than 15 floors onto railings from an east London tower block, an inquest has heard.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Aalim Ahmed died instantly after the fall from a window on the 15th floor of Jacobs House on New City Road on May 16.

Aalim's father discovered his body shortly before 6am that day, Walthamstow Coroner's Court heard on Friday.

Locals contacted emergency services after hearing the man's "distressed" cries.

Paramedics arrived at 6.04am and police arrived three minutes later. Assistant coroner Ian Wade KC said he was opening a "coronial investigation" because he is "quite satisfied that Ahmed's death was not from natural causes".

Read more: Tragedy as 'happy, smiley, energetic' boy, six, dies after falling from 15th floor of London tower block

Read more: Father screamed 'my boy is dead' after five-year-old son 'fell from kitchen window' of 15th floor flat in east London

A general view of Jacobs House in Plaistow, east London, where Aalim Ahmed died after falling from the upper floor
A general view of Jacobs House in Plaistow, east London, where Aalim Ahmed died after falling from the upper floor. Picture: Alamy

Aalim's aunt, Maryam Hadafow, paid tribute to the "lovely, lovely boy" who she described as "very sweet".

She said: "He had got up before his parents and he fell from the kitchen window."

His mother had written emails about the windows and doors to the council five times and said: "this is not safe for my kids," she said.

Abi Gbago, chief executive of Newham Council, said: "We are undertaking a full investigation to reach the fullest possible understanding of what happened, and will fully support any other investigations.

"Once all of the relevant facts are established and investigations are concluded, which we will do as quickly as possible, we will provide an update."

Caroline Stone, head teacher at New City Primary School in Plaistow, said in the school's weekly newsletter: "As you will have heard, Aalim had a tragic accident yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

A resident said 'the boy was up early and then fell from the window.'
A resident said 'the boy was up early and then fell from the window.'. Picture: LBC

“Apparently, the boy was up early and then fell from the window."

A neighbour who lived on the same floor as the family told LBC she had spoken to the boy’s aunt this morning who told him he had fallen from a kitchen window.

She said that inside the flat, the family had a table in front of the window, and the window itself was broken.

She said the boy was “He was happy, smiley, energetic - he said hi to me every morning."

A neighbour told the Evening Standard: “I spoke to the mum a few weeks ago and I saw her with her son in the lift with her boy, he was lovely. Today she could barely speak.”

A mother-of-two, 28, told the paper: “We are in utter shock."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

x

'He did everything right': Reporter who broke story of John Smyth's abuse defends Justin Welby following resignation

Kate Mulcahy, 37, was found dead after a fierce blaze broke out at the home in Greater Manchester

Mother of four, 37, killed in fire at £1.2m home as her four young children 'manage to escape'

A key vote on assisted dying will take place at the end of the month.

'There are different views and opinions': MP behind assisted dying bill reveals cabinet split ahead of key vote

The Queen at her first public engagement since falling ill with a chest infection.

Queen Camilla seen for the first time after missing Remembrance Sunday service due to chest infection

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Why has Justin Welby resigned and what happens next to the Church? All your questions answered

The trio of brazen shoplifters has been jailed

Shameless shoplifters jailed for stealing £200,000 of goods in 120 offences after being caught on CCTV

Man arrested after reports of person carrying knives outside Houses of Parliament

'Knifeman' arrested by armed police after reports of man 'carrying knives' outside Parliament

Justin Welby has resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury in the wake of abuse scandal

Read in full: Justin Welby's letter resigning as Archbishop of Canterbury

Curtis Green

Father-to-be shot dead after south London party named and pictured for first time as family pay tribute

Nottingham Panthers forward Johnson suffered a fatal neck injury in October 2023

Police issue update on man arrested over manslaughter of ice hockey player Adam Johnson

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns following damning report into Church abuse scandal

The husband of Erin Jayne Plummer has reportedly died in a suspected self-harm incident

Husband of Australian TV star dies suddenly two years after her suicide leaving three kids orphaned

Sue Gray

Sue Gray rejects Keir Starmer's job offer after being removed as chief of staff

Malin Andersson was caught in a horror motorway incident

Love Island star Malin Andersson 'seconds from death' after £100k BMW 'blew up and caught fire'

File photo of congestion on the M5

Teen girl killed in M5 crash fled police car onto motorway before being hit by oncoming traffic

Church abuse victims were treated 'very very badly' Keir Starmer has said, as calls grow for Justin Welby to resign

Starmer says Church abuse scandal victims were 'failed very, very badly' as calls grow for Archbishop to quit